Verizon to Be Exclusive Carrier Selling Google Pixel Phone

Google today named Verizon Wireless as its exclusive carrier partner for the new Pixel smartphones. Verizon is accepting preorders for the Pixel and Pixel XL starting today. The Pixel 32 GB costs $650, the Pixel 128 GB costs $750, the Pixel XL 32 GB costs $770, and the Pixel XL 128 GB costs $870. Verizon is selling the black and white variants of the phone. Monthly pricing is available, too, which breaks down the cost over 24 months. Separately, Google is selling the Pixel and Pixel XL unlocked online. The unlocked model is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile.

Is the Pixel going to be the replacement for the Nexus? How long will it take before Google realizes that their own hardware isn't profitable and then spins it off toward another Chinese acquisition (a la Motorola)? History just seems to repeat itself over and over.

So I'm not surprised this phone won't be available to us, even via unlocked channels. I'll never understand this phone exclusive bull crap, though. It's a great way for vendors to say in a loud voice, "I REALLY EXPECT THIS TO FAIL," at a product announcement. I guess the saying goes, "If at first you don't succeed, perhaps Google should give it a try."

More than likely, I tried Verizon for a month last year and the nexus 6 I got from them was full of it. It sucks that only Verizon will carry it. Since T-Mobile didn't carry the Nexus 6P or 5X I knew that this one would be the same story.

Keep up with the exorbitant price points.Excellent way to lock someone into a phone contract or shell out $600+ for the unlocked. Might as well go the Galaxy S7 or IPhone 7 direction too.Gone are the days when a phone was a phone and not a distraction device.